Machine for loading heels with nails



(No Model.)

' 7 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. WODWARD. MACHINE FOR LOADING HBBLS WITH NAILSl Patented Nov. 3

SE-i--nil 7 Sheets-Sheet 2.V

(No Model.)

E. WOODWARD. MACHINE PoR LOADING HBELS WITH NAILS.

No. 570,654. Patented Nov. 3,1

(No Model.) Y 1 shawlssheet a.

E. WOODWARD.

MACHINE PoR LoADING HBBLS WITH MILS.

No. 570,654. Patented Nov. s, 1896.

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(N6 Hodevl.) l 7 Sheetssheet 4.

E. WGODWARD. MACHINE FOB. LOADING HBELS WITH NAILS. No. 570,654.

. Patented Ngv.

(No Model.) v'1 sheets-sheets.

A 'E. WOODWARD. MAGHINB PoR LOADING HEBLS WITH NAILS.

No. 570,654. Patented. Nov. 3, 1896.

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 6.

B. wooDWARD. MACHINE FUR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS.

No. 570,654. Patented Nov. 3, 18'96.

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E. WooDwAR'n.:

MACHINE FOR'LOADING HBBLS WITH NAILS. No. 570,654. i t Patented Nov'. 3, 1896.

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lUNITED STATES l FAT-ENT OFFICE.

ERASTUS VOODVARD, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE \VOODW'ARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SACO, MAINE.

MACHINE FOR LOADING HEELS WITH NAILS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 570,654, dated November 3, 1896.

Application filed September 2l, 1895. Serial No. 563,197. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ERASTUS WOODWARD, of Somerville, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Loading Heels with Nails; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in heel-loading machines in which nails are partly driven into a pile of heel-lifts in order to form a heelblank ready to be attached by the same nails to the heel-seat of the boot or shoe, and my improvements are adapted for use in machines of the character shown in my reissued Letters Patent No. 11,486, dated April 16, 1895, and of the character shown in my application for United States Letters Patent for improvements on heel-loading machines, Serial No. 534,963, filed January 15, 1895.

One object of my invention is to provide for the vertical adjustment of the heel-plate and the heel-blank located thereon in relation to the nail-driving mechanism, so that the variations in the heights of the heels to be loaded with nails and the lengths of the nails to be used, which'vary according to the thickness of the heels to be loaded, can be provided for; and-another object is to provide for the horizontal adjustment of the heelblank on the heel-plate in relation to the naildriving mechanism, so that the position of the nail driven into the heel-blank can be arranged with reference to its distance from the breast or front edge of the heel and also from the back edge of the heel.

A further object is to provide for the manipulation of the heel-plate by drawing the same quickly away from the machine after a heel has been loaded, removingthe same and placing a heel-blank on the heel-plate, and bringing the heel-plate with the rst feedingpoint of a series of feeding-points located thereon quickly into position for the loading of the heel-blanks with nails. y

These and other objects are accomplishec by the mechanism hereinafter described, and shown in the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, which form I a part ofthis application and illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvements,

showing the position of the parts when a new heel-blank has been placed ontheA heel-plate preparatory to passing into position to be loaded with nails and showing a cam-plate for locking said heel-plate in a position to remove Ya loaded heel and to receive a new heelblank. Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1 and showing the parts in plan view in the same relative position as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the position of the heel-plate after it has moved forward into position to be loaded with nails and showing the irst feeding-pin of the heel-plate in contact with the feed-wheel by which said heel-plate is revolved, and also showing the other position of the cam-plate when moved out of contact with the heel-plate. Fig. 4 is a Vplan view showing the location of the heel-plate when the heel is to receive the last nail and showing the last feeding-pin in contact with the feed-wheel, the heel being shown in dotted lines, and also the nails, which are located directly above each'feeding-pin, except the last one. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the position of the parts after the last nail has been driven, with the first and the last feeding-pin resting in the teeth of the feed-wheel, and showing in dotted lines the heel with the nails, one above each feeding-pin, and representing the heel as fully loaded, one nail for each feeding-pin. Fig. 6 is a plan view with the heelplate removed and showing the position of the feed-wheel and sliding plate. Fig. 7 -is a side View showing the first feeding-pin of the heel-plate in contact with the feed-'wheel and the cam-plate out of locking position with Y the heel-plate, and also showing other parts hereinafter described. Fig. Sis a front elevation taken from the front of the machine and showing in dotted lines a new heel-blank on the heel-plate. Fig. 9 isaperspective view of the xedand movable brackets and coperating parts. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the heelplate. Fig. 11 is a reversed plan View of the heel-plate. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line y y, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a cross-section al view taken on the line .a e',

Fig. 12.` Fig. 111 represents several detail Views of cooperating' parts hereinafter described. Fig. 15 is a side View of the heelplate, showing a new heel-blank about to be applied to the heel-plate. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a heel-blank which has been loaded with nails and partly broken away at one point to show the distance the driven nails extend through the heel-blank.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, A represents part of the frame of amachine of thecharacter shown in the above-mentioned reissued Letters Patent and the said application for improvements in4 machines for loading heels with nails, and secured to the said frame Aisa vertical bracket B, having two horizontal arms B', through which bolts B2 pass and secure said bracket to the frame A of the machine, Figs. 1 and S. V Resting against said fixed bracket B is arranged a vertically-movable bracket C, consisting of a vertical wall C and two horizontal Varms C2, and from the vertical portion C extend two webs C2 for strengthening and supporting the horizontal arms C2. The upward movement of said bracket C is limited by a pin C4, located thereon, which in the upper limit of movement of the bracket C strikes one of the plates C5, which are secured on both sides to the bracket B by screws C6, and said plates C5 extend over the reduced edges CT of the vertical wall C of the bracket C and provide a guideway for said bracket C on both sides in its upward and downward movements. The downward movement of said bracket is limited by the lug B3, cast with or otherwise secured to the lower part of the bracket B, and through an eye in said lug B2 there is arranged a thumb-screw B4, the upper end of which bears against the lower portion of the bracket C, and by the movement of said thumb-screw B4 the said bracket C can be adjusted to the proper height, as may be required, and for reasons which will be hereinafter explained. (See Figs. 1, 8, and 9.)

On the top of the arm C2 there is located a sliding plate D, having a depending lug D', extending down in the space between the arms C2, and to said lug there is secured a pin D2, lo which one end of the coiled spring D3 is secured, and the other end of said spring .is secured to a suitable pin D4, fastened to the vertical wall C of the verticallymovable bracket C, and the function of said spring is to retain said sliding plateD in the positions shown in Figs. 4, 5, (i, 7, S, and 9, that is, with the inner end of said plate D near the upper part of the vertical wall C of the'bracket C, as shown in Fig. (5.

Secured to the side of one of the arms C2 is an adjustable bracket E, (see Fig. 1,) having a vertical portion E and at its top a pin E2, y

on which is mounted the friction-roller E2,

and by means of a bolt E4 and slot E5 the said bracket can be adj usted horizontally in posi-` tion on the arm C2, and by means of the pin E, projecting from the side vof the arm C2 into the slot E7 of the bracket E, the said bracket is kept in a straight line in its adjustments. V

Secured to and extending upwardly from the sliding plate D is a pin F, (see Figs. 7, 8, and 9,) on which the hub Fof the cam-plate F2 is mounted, and by means of the plate F3 and screw-nut F4 said cani-plate by its hub F isretained on said pin F and adapted to revolve thereon. A recess F5 is formed in the said cam-plate and ts around the fric` tion-roller E2, mounted on the pin E2 of the bracket E, and said cam-plate is also provided with the point F, adapted to come in contact with a recess in the heel-plate and hold said heel-plate out of an operative position, as hereinafter described.

Secured to and projecting upwardly from the sliding plate D at the other end from the cam-plate F2 is a pin G, Figs. 6, 9, and 12, on which the heel-plate G' is mounted and adapted to revolve, and the said heel-plate is constructed of an upper plate G2 and the lower plate G2, with a series of feeding-pins G4 extending between said plates G2 and G2. The hub G5, which iits over the pin G, (see Fig. 12,) extends from the upper plate G2, and its lower end passes through an opening in the lower plate G2, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and by means of a series of rivets G17, one of which passes through each of the feedingpins G4 and is riveted at each end, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the said plates, pins, and hub are held firmly together.

Through the center of the upper plate G2 there is a longitudinal recess GG, as shown in Figs. 2, 10, and 1 2, and in the rear part of said recess there is arranged a plate G7, composed of a rear upward extension GS and two horizontal arms G2, having inwardlyinclined edges G10, on which edges there is adapted to bear a plate G11, and through said plate is a screw G12, adapted to screw said plate G11 down on the arms G9 of the plate G7, and thereby hold said plate in a fixed position, so that by means here described. it is obvious that said plate G7 can be adjusted in any desired horizontal position with relation to the top plate G2 of the heel-plate G.`

Ari m G13 extends around the outer edge of the upper plate G2 of the heel-plate, and beneath it are located the plate Gland the front plate H, arranged to slide in 'said longitudinal recess G11, and both said plates G7 and H have dovetailed joints with that part of the plate G2 around the recess G6 to hold said plates in Vtheir proper positions in their forward and rearward sliding movements in said recess G6. (See Figs. 3, 10, and 13.)

Secured to the under side of the front end of the plate H is a pin Hl, to which is secured one end of a coiled spring H2, and the other end of said spring is secured to the pin H3, eX: tending upwardly from the hub G5, and by means of said spring the cross-plate H4, secured to the front plate H, is held in contact with the front edge of the rim G13, (see Fig. 12,) and the plate H is held in the position shown in said figure and in other views of the drawings by means of said spring. Located on said cross-plate H4 is an arm H7, (see Figs. 12, 13, and 14,) having an eccentric-opening H3, and on one end a vertical lug H9, and on the opposite end a vertical lug H10 with a right-angle end H11, and located on said arm H7 is another arm H12, having aneccentricopening H13, adapted to register with the eccentric-openingH3 when said arm H12 is placed over the arm H7, and said arm H12 is also provided with an extension H14, adapted to bear against the rear side of the lug H111, and another arm H15, adapted to bear against the rear side of the lug H3, and with a right-'angle end H16, located around the end of the said lug H9.

On the under side of rthe ring H17 are.se cured two eccentrics H12 and H12, and through said ring and eccentrics there is a suitable opening through which the screw H20 is adapted to pass and screw said ring H17 and plates H7 and H12 down firmly on the plate H4, secured to the plate H, with the eccentric H1s in the eccentric-opening H13 and the eccentric H19 in the eccentric-opening H8 of the plates H12 and H7, respectively. By means of said eccentrics working in the said openings it is obvious that by iirst loosening the screw H20 and then taking hold of the pin H21 on the ring H17 the said eccentrics can be moved and will act at one and the same time and in opposite directions on the plates H7 and H12, respectively, and move the said Vplates inwardly or outwardly as the eccentrics are respectively brought toward the ends of the eccentricopenings or against the sides, as itis obvious that when moved against the sides of said openings the eccentrics will move said plates outwardly from one another, as said eccentrics move together and act opposite] y on the plates H7 and H12; but when said ring H17 is moved so that the eccentrics arebrought toward the ends of the openings instead of the sides the tendency will be to draw said plates inwardly and move the said ends H11 and H16 toward one another, the said inward or outward movements depending upon the space required between the said ends H11 and H16 to accommodate heels of varying width at the breast on the heel-plate G', for if a heel wide atthe breast is to be loaded the ring H17 is moved to cause the eccentrics to act on the sides of the openings H3 and H13 and thereby move the arms laterally away from one another, so as to increase the space between the right-angle ends H11 and H111; or if a heel narrow at the breast is to be loaded, by turning the ring 4H17 so that the eccentrics H18 and H19 move toward the ends of the openings H13 and H3 the ends VH11 and H16 can be made to approach one another to accommodate a` heel narrow at the breast, so that by means'here described it is clear that heelsl which vary in width at the breast may be placed on the same heel-plate and loaded, and within ordinary limits, say about one-fourth of an inch in width at the breast, the plates H7 and H12 can be adj usted as above described for such heels; but if the width at the breast should vary greater than this the plates H7 and H12 can be changed to plates of similar construction,

but of greater or less width, depending upon the width of the heel at the breast to be loaded. Short pins H22, (see Fig. 1,)'secured to the plate H4, act as guides for the plates H7 and H12 in their lateral movements.

As shown in Fig. 15, to apply a new heelblank to the heel-plate the breast of the heel is placed between the arms H11 and H16 against the lugs H9 and H111 of the arm H7, and by pressing slightly forward against the abovementioned parts the said plate H, to which the plates H7 and H12 are secured by the screw H211, (see Fig. 12,) moves-forward against the tension of the spring H2 and the rear of the heel is moved down into position against the vertical part G3 of the rear plate G7, and the spring H2, contracting, holds said heel firmly between the front plates H7 and H12 and the upper part G3 of the rear plate G7, as shown in Fig. l, and by the movements above described, that is, themoving forward of the plate H against the tension of the spring H2 by pressure of the breast of the heel-blank against the parts above described, the rear of the heel can be placed down on the rim G13 of the heel-plate past the forward incline of the top GS ofthe rear plate G7, and theplate H4, with the arms H7 and H12, provided, respectively, with the right-angled arms H11 and H111, between which the breast of the heel is placed, adapt themselves, against the tension of the spring H2, to the length of the heel-blank placed on said heel-plate after'the rear plate G7 has been adjusted for locating the position of the driven nails with reference to the breast and back of the heel, as hereinafter fully described.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is arranged on the under side of the sliding plate D the depending lug D5, with which the up-V per end of the lever K is adapted to come in contact and press the sliding plate D outwardly into the position shown in Fig. l against the tension of the spring D3. The le- IOO IIO

ver K extends downwardly and is journaled on the bolt K', having a support in the lower end of the arm K2, which is provided with a horizontal arm K2, secured by bolts K4 to the frame of the machine. Beyond the fulcrum K the lever K is provided with an rarm K5 and suitable vertical connections K6, to which is connected the pivoted treadle K7, provided with a foot-rest K3, so that by pressing'down on the foot-rest K3 the upper' end of the 1ever K acts against the lug'D5 and movesY the sliding plate D out into the position shown in Fig. l, and as said plate moves outwardly the cam-plate F2, being journaled on the pin F, turns on said pin, and the antifriction-roller E3, located in the recess F5 of the cam-plate F2, moves said cam-plate into the position shown in Fig. l, with the point Fmoving into the recess G14 in the side of the top plate G2 of the heel-plate G', and thus locks said heelplate in the position shown in Figs. l and 2, in which position a loaded heel ca-n be removed and a new heel inserted by the attendant. In Figs. l and 2 this position of the parts is shown, representing the plate D held out in the position above described with a new heel on the heel-plate, and the heel-plate remaining in its locked position until the foot is removed from the treadle K7, when the spring D3 draws said plate D back into the position shown in Figs. 3, 8, and 9, with the rst feeding-pin between the teeth of the feedwheel I, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, and the cam-plate F2, being journaled on said plate VD, is caused bythe inward movement of said plate D, due to the spring D3 and the frictionroller E2, to assume the position shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

The object of the adjustable bracket E, previously referred to, is that if a large heelplate is to be used the bracket would be moved as far away from the heel-plate as necessary, and if a small heel-plate is to be used the bracket would be moved nearer to the said small heel-plate than when a large heel-plate is used. In all cases of adjustment the principle is the same, namely, that the distance the bracket is to be moved is the distance necessary to allow a free revolution of the heelplate during the loading of the heel, without contact between said heel-plate G and cam F2 during such loading. As the heel-plates decrease in size the bracket is moved nearer to the heel-plate, so that when pressure is applied to the treadle to move the plate D outwardly the end FG ofthe cam-plate F2 will pass quickly into the recess G14 of the heelplate, for if the bracket E was out to the extreme limit necessary for the largest heelplate itis obvious that unless said bracket was moved inwardly for small heel-plates it would require a longer time for the cam-plate F2 to engage the recess G14 of the heel-plate than where said bracket E is adjusted nearer to said heel-plate, for it would take a longer stroke of the foot to cause the engagement of said cam-plate and heel-plate.

It is evident that as the slide D moves outwardly the cam-F2 begins to revolve toward the heel-plate and the end F4i of the cam F2 strikes against the point Gof the upper plate G2 of the heel-plate, and Vby striking said point it revolves said plate around until the arc or recess G14 of the plate will just fit the are of the cam, as shown Yin Figs. l and 2, and thereby lock said plate to receive a new heel, and in this position the first feeding-pin G4 of the heel-plate is in a horizontal line with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and over the lug CS.

the lug CS, as indicated by line 3 3, Figs. 1 and 2, so that as the heel moves inwardly, by reason of the spring D3, the first feeding-pin will pass into proper position with the feedwheel I and over the lug CS, and thus said cam-plate F2 serves not only, in connection with the recess G44, to lock said heel-plate in position to allow the removal of a loaded heel and the insertion of a new heel-blank t0 be loaded, but also is the means by which the lrst feeding-pin of the heel-plate is arranged in a horizontal line with the feed-wheel I, so that said first pin will pass into its proper position with said feed-wheel as the heel-plate moves inwardly after a new heel has been placed thereon to be loaded with nails.

From the above it is clear that the first feeding-pin G4 is so located by the cam-plate F2 as to engage with the feeding mechanism upon the engagement of the heel-plate and feeding mechanism before any other pin of said series, so that by providing mechanism which causes the first feeding-pin G4 to come under the nail-driving mechanism before any other pin of said series it is evident that a nail will be driven into the heel-blank for every feeding-pin on the heel-plate from the first to the last, or, in other words, that there will be as'many nails driven into the heelblank as there are feeding-pins on said heelplate.

The feed-wheel I and the ratchet-wheel I2, secured tothe underside of said feed-wheel I, are both mounted on the shaft I', located in the frame A of the machine, and said ratchet` wheel may be driven by any suitable operating mechanism to communicate power to the said feed-wheel I, by which said heel-plate G is operated.

At the top of the vertically-movable bracket C, and between the two horizontal arms C2, there is arranged a short pin orlug C8, which lies just below the wheel I and between the teeth thereof. (See Figs. 1, 6, and 7.)

lVhen a new heel has been inserted on the heel-plate G and pressure is removed from the treadle, the spring D3, acting on the plate D, moves said heel-plate inwardly to an inner position, so that the first of the feeding-pins G4 passes between two of the teeth of the feed-wheel I (see Figs. 3 and 7) and directly Now as the feed-wheel I is mounted on a iixed shaft, and consequently has always the same horizontal relation to the lug CS, it is obvious that as the feed-wheel is turned and a newpin G4 comes into the space between the teeth of the revolving wheel I each pin is located over the lug CS,

so that said lug takes up the blow of the driv` ing mechanism as the nails are driven into the heel by any suitable driving mechanism, as X, (shown in dotted lines, Figs. 1 and 7,) whose line of vertical movement in relation to the lug C8 and each pin moved over said lug is indicated in Fig. l and byline l 2, Fig. '7.

As the hub G5 is mounted on the pin G and lou as a center.

adapted to revolve thereon, it is obvious that as the pins G'1 are not all located at points equally distant from the hub G5 as a center each pin G4 in the revolution of the heel-plate passes into a depression between the teeth of the feed-wheel Land as said feed-wheel :is fixed on a center and cannot yield the plate D must have a slight inward and outward movement under the control of the spring D3 as the various pins corne into posit-ion between the teeth of the feed-wheel I, and said spring tends to hold the pins in contact with said feed-wheel I, but allows an inward and outward movement to the plate D, owing to said pins, as previously stated, being not all located at points equally distant from the hub Consequently said plate D is adapted to move slightly inward and outward as the various pins are brought into relation with the feed-wheel I. In said revolution of the heel-plate each pin comes over the lug C8, and as the last one of the feeding-pins G4 moves around into position between the teeth of the feed-wheel l and over the lug C8 the heel-plate assumes the position shown in Fig. -t and an extended corner G16 comes in contact with the knob L, secured to the free end of the arm L", which extends to and is connected with any suitable power-shifting mechanism, and as the wheel continues its movement the said corner G16 moves said knob away from its position shown in Fig. l and the power is thrown off. The said device may be of the kind shown and described in my reissued Letters Patent hereinbefore mentioned, but, if desired, any other power-shifting mechanism may be used, it only being necessary that some means should be provided on the heel-plate to trip off the power when the last nail has been driven, and as said last nail is driven and the power has been thrown off the heel-plate assumes the position shown in Fig. 5, with the nails driven into the heel corresponding in number and in position tothe number of pins G1 on said heel-plate, Vso that it is obvious that a greater or less number of nails may be driven, as desired, depending upon the construction of the heel-plate, which may vary suitably for large or small heels and forlarger or smaller number of nails tobe driven into the heel. When the heel-plate assumes the position shown i-n Fig. 5, the operator presses on the treadle and throws the heel-plate out into the position shown in Fig. l, when the loaded heel can be removed and a new one inserted in its place, and the operation continues as above described, the power being put on bypressure of the foot on a suitable treadle connected with the power-shifting operating mechanism as the irst feedingpin of the heel-plate passes into operative position with the feed-wheel I.

From the above description it is obvious that as many nails will be driven into the heel-blank as there are feeding-pins G1-and that the position of each nail driven intoy the heel is determined by the position of said feeding-pins, that is, each nail is driven into the heel directly above one of the said feeding-pins, for as each feeding-pin in turn comes over the lug CS a driving operation takes place, and as the lng Cs is in the same vertical plane as the line of motion of the naildriving mechanism it is evident that the position of each nail driven into the heel-blank is directly above one of the feeding-pins G4.

As shown in Fig. l in full lines and inFigxQ in dotted lines, a new heel-blank has been applied to the heel-plate before the same has moved into position to be fed by the feedwheel and to be loaded with nails, and in Fig. 3 the heel-plate has moved, by reason of the spring D3, into the position shown, with its iirs't feeding-pin in proper position with the feed-wheel, by which the heel-plate is operated, and in Fig. 4 the heel-plate is shown as having been turned by the feed-wheel from the position shown in Fig. 3 until the last feedingpin has moved into position with the feed-wheel,and,as shown in dotted lines,there has been driven into the heel-blank nails M, one above each feeding-pin G4, (shown in dotted lines,) and as the last nail is driven above the last feeding-pin the heel-plate assumes the position shown in Fig. 5, in which there is shown in dotted lines a heel-blank with the nails M also in dotted lines, one above each feeding-pin G4, (shown in dotted lines,) and in this position, as previously described, the operator, pressing on the foot-rest KS of the treadle K7, moves the heel-plate out into position shown in Fig. l, when the loaded heel can be removed and anew heel-blank inserted to be loaded by the next operation.

As the feeding-pins G4 are in a t'iXed position in reference to the pin G, on which the heel-plate revolves,it is evident that by changing the position of the heel-blank in reference to the said pin G as a center the position of the nails driven into the heel-blank in reference to the breast of the heel or back of the.

heel will be changed, for if the heel be moved forwardly against the arms H7 and H12 it is obvious that the driven nails will be some distance back from the breast of the heel and nearer the back edge of the heel, or if the heel be located back, so that the breast of the heel is just slightly beyond the front pins G4, the nails driven will be nearer the breast of the heel and away from thev back edge of the heel, as shown in Fig. 16 and also in several of the views where the heel and driven nails are indicated in dotted lines, and in some cases this is desirable in order that the back of theheel may be concaved in a style known as the French heel. Now in such a case if the nails were driven away from the breast and near the back edge of the heel, in shaping the heel by the cutter, after the attachment of the heel to the boot or shoe, the cuter would cut into said nails and destroy the heel` so that by those manufacturers who desire to concave the .heels it is necessary to drive the nails as near to the breast of the heel as possible,

IOO

l'IO

and away from the back. In order to accomplish this desired position of the nails in the heel-blank, all that is necessary is to adjust the back plate G1, for if the said plate is moved inwardly toward the front plates H7 and H12 it is obvious that the breast of the heel will be located a considerable distance forward beyond the line of the two front feeding-pins G1 and the nails will be located away from the breast and near to the back edge of the heel, and in such case of course the heel could not be concaved, but where it is desired to concave the heel the plate Gr7 is moved outwardly away from plates H7 and H12, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the breast of the heel is just slightly beyond the two front pins G4, in which case the front nails are near the breast of the heel and the other nails do not approach the back edge of the heel, as they would where the front or breast nails are driven fartheraway from the breast of the heel, so that it will be seen that the adjustment of the back plate Gr7 determines the distance the breast-nails are located from the breast of the heel, so that the nearer to the breast of the heel the breast-nails are located the farther distance the other nails are from the back edge of the heel, and,vice versa, the farther away from the breast the breastnails are located the nearer the back of the heel the other nails are located, and it will be noted that in all cases the two front pins Gr1 determine the position of the two front or breast nails in the heel-blank. By this construction the nails can be located in any desired position in reference to the back edge of the heel or breast of the heel, depending upon the shape it is desired to make the heel, and in this way each manufacturer can decide for himself as to the positions the nails will occupy. The heels are always adjusted from the back with relation to the curve of the heel-seat of the boot or shoe. The reason is that a jack is provided on which the shoe is placed, and the nails must all be in the same relation to the back of the heel in order to have the heel come in the right position upon the curve of the heel-seat of the boot or shoe, and the front of the heel is movablyadjustable because it is immaterial how far front the breast of the heel comes, but it is evident that the back edge of the heel must always have a fixed adjustment because it must always come in line with the curved edge of the heel-seat of the boot or shoe. The upper surface of the heel-blank, into which the nails are driven, must of course always extend beyond the position of the feedingpins Gr4 in order that the nails be driven into said heel-blank, and it is immaterial how much concave there is to the heel-blank when placed on the machine to be loaded, as the yielding front plates H7 and H12 and adj ustable back plate Gr7 can be set so as to locate the breast-nails near the breast of the heel and the other nails away from the back edge of the heel-blank, and it is only necessary that the upper surface to receive the nails shall extend over, or, in other words, have its surface above, each feeding-pin, so that the nail can be driven therein as each. feedingpin comes over the lug()8 and in the line of motion of the nail-driving mechanism.

As previously stated, in some cases, where the front plates II and H12 cannot be moved asuflicientdistance laterally to accommodate a heel very wide at the breast, new plates HT and H12 of greater width can be substituted for the shorter ones. Se also in cases where the heel is long, or that part of the heel which rests on the heel-p1 te is very long, if the back plate is too short to be properly adjusted to accommodate such a heel-blank, to locate the breast-nails forward and the other nails away from the back of the heel in order to make a French heel, then in such eases a back plate GS of greater length can be substituted.

As heel-blanks of different heights or thicknesses may be used on the same machine, it is of course necessary to vary the length of the nails used for loading said heel-blanks, and as the nail must be driven just through the heel-liftsforming the heel-blank itis obvious that where a long nail is used for a heel of greater thickness the bracket C must be adjusted downwardly in relation to the nail-driving mechanism, because said naildriving mechanism always strikes said nail at a Xed point and has always a certain limit of stroke, so that the nails, when driven, will j ust pass through the heel-lit ts, as shown in Fig. 1G.

Now, in the case of thin heels, short nails are used, in whichcase the vertically-adjustable bracket C must be moved upwardly in IOO order that the nail-driving mechanism, which,

as above stated, always strikes said nail at a fixed point and has a certain limit of stroke, will drive said nails just through the heellifts forming the heel-blank, so that the object of the vertically-adjustable bracket C is to adapt the machine to dierent thicknesses of heels and to different lengths of nails, which vary according to the thicknesses of the heels to be loaded on the machine.

IIO

As shown in Fig. 16, the nails driven into the heel-blank just extend through the heellifts forming the heel-blank and leave a certain amount of the nail above the heel, and the said heel is afterward attached to the heel-seat of the boot or shoe by any suitable heel-attaching mechanism.

I do not limit myself to the construction and arrangement shown, as the same may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus ascertained the nature and set forth a construction embodying my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s-- l. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate `for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device on said movable plate adapted to engage with said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and mechanism coperatin g with said movable plate adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and to cause engagement of said locking device and the said heel-plate.

In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heel-blanks, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a locking device on said movable plate adapted to engage with said heel-plate When said heel-plate is moved from engagement With said feeding mechanism and to hold said heel-plate with the first feeding-point of the said series in line with the feeding mechanism, mechanism coperating with said movable plate adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel.- plate from engagement With said feeding mechanism and to cause the engagement of said locking device and said heel-plate, and means acting' on said movable plate for moving the first feeding-point of the said series on said heel-plate in to engagement with the feeding mechanism upon the release of said heelplate from engagement With said locking dcvice.- Y

3. Ina heel-loading `machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage with said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement With said feeding mechanism and to cause the engagement of said locking device and said heelplate.

4. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage with said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-*plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means coperating with saidl locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heelplate from engagement with said feeding mechanism.

5. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted,

engagement with said heel-plate upon the v movement of said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism.

6. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, a vertically-adjustable bracket carrying the said movable plate and adapted to be adj usted to dierent heights for heels of varying thicknesses carried by said heel-plate, feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, alocking device on said movable plate adapted to engage with said heel-plate When the same is moved from engagement With said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted When actu- IOO ated by the operator to move the heel-plate A justable bracket cooperating With said lock-v ing device for moving saidV locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from engagement With said feeding mechanism.

7. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on Wh ich said heel-plate is mounted, a vertically-adjustable bracket carrying the said movable plate and adapted to be adjusted to different heights for heels of varying thicknesses carriedby said heelplate, feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement With said feeding mechanism, a locking device on said movable plate adapted to en-- gage With said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement With said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted Whenactuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and an adjustable bracket locatedV on said vertically-adjustable bracket coperating with said locking device for moving said IIO IIS

heel-plate upon the movement of said heelplate from engagement with said feeding mechanism.

8. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a series of feeding-points on said heel-plate with 'which said feeding mechanism cooperates, mechanism for engaging With said heelplate upon the disengagement of said heelplate and feeding mechanism and adapted to locate the first feeding-point of said series adjacent to and in line with said feeding mechanism, and means for moving said first feeding-point on said heel-plate into engagement with said feeding mechanism.

9. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a series of feeding-points on said heel-plate with Which said feeding mechanism cooperates, mechanism adapted When actuated by the operator to move the said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, mechanism for engaging with said heel-plate upon the disengagement of said heel-plate and feeding mechanism and adapted to locate the first feeding-point of said series adjacent to and in line with said feeding mechanism, and means for moving said first feeding-point on said heel-plate into engagement with said feeding mechanism upon the release of said actuated mechanism.

10. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a series of feeding-points on said heel-plate with which said feeding mechanism cooperates, mechanism for moving the heel-plate from engagement With said feeding mechanism, a locking device for engaging With said heelplate upon the disengagement of said heelplate and feeding mechanism and adapted to locate the first feeding-point of said series adjacent to and in line with the said feeding mechanism, and means for moving said first feeding-point on said heel-plate into engagement with said feeding mechanism.

ll. In a heel-loading machine, a'nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, an adjustable bracket carrying the said movable plate, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a series of feeding-points on said heel-plate with Which said feeding mechanism cooperates, and each point representingthe position of a nail to be driven into the heel-blanks, a lug on said adjustable bracket in vertical alinement with said nail-driving mechanism and over which each feeding-point in turn is located, means for holding said heelplate in engagement with said feedngmechanism, a locking device on said movable plate adapted to engage with said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism,mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move said heelpla-te from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means cooperating with said locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from en gagement With said feeding mechanism.

l2. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying' the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operatin g said heel plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement With said feeding mechanism,and a locking device adapted to engage with said heelplate upon the disengagement of said heelplate and feeding mechanism.

v13. In a heel-loading machine, a lnail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted'to engage with said heel-plate upon the disengagement of said heel-plate and feeding mechanism, and means cooperating With said locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism.

14T. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate, mechanism for moving said heel-plate .from engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage with said heel-plate upon the disengagement of said heelplate and feeding mechanism, means cooperating with said locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said IOO` IIO

heel-plate from engagement With said feeding ing mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a series of feeding-points on said heel-plate with which said feeding mechanism cooperates, mechanism for locating the rst feeding-point of said series in line with said feeding mechanism upon the disengagement of said heelplate and feeding mechanism, and means for moving said heel-plate into engagement with said feeding mechanism.

16. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blanks thereon and consist- A570654 v 'si ing of a yielding front plate and a rear adjustable plate, means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adj usted positions, two movable arms located on said front plate and movable therewith and adapted to be adjusted laterally for heels of varying widths at the breast, and pins for guiding said movable arms in the lateral movements thereof.

17. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carryin g the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-drivingmechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adj usted for varying the position of the heelblanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism.

18. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heelblank thereon and adapted to be adjusted forvaryin g the position 'of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said naildriving mechanism and consisting of a front plate and a rear adjustable plate, and means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adjusted positions. Y

1S). In a heel-'loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heelblank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying t-he position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said naildri-ving mechanism and consisting of a yielding front plate and a rear adjustableplate, and means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adjusted positions.

20. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in fthe' line of motion of the said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heel-blanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to said nail-driving mechanism and to move each point in turn inthe line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heelplate for holding .the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said feeding-points and to said nail-driving mechanism.

21. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of the said nail-driving mechanism for carrying t-he heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heel-blanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to said nail-driving mechanism and to move each point in turn in the line of motion of said naildriving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said feeding-points and to said naildriving mechanism and consisting of a yielding front plate and a rear' adjustable plate, and means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adjusted positions.

22. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of the said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism vand consisting of a yielding front plate and a rear adjustable plate, means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adj usted positions, and two laterally-movable arms located on said front plate and movable therewith and adapted'to be adj usted laterally to accommodate heels of varying Widths at the breast.

' 23. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively tosaid nail-drivingmechanism,a heel-holding device.

en said heel-plate Vfor holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varyingthe position of the heel-blanks relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism and consisting of a yielding front plate and a rear adjustable plate, means for holding said rear adjustable plate in its adj usted positions, two laterally-movable arms located 0n said front plate and movable therewith, means for simultaneously operating said movable arms laterally in opposite directions to accommodate heelsl of varying Widths at the breast, and means for holding said laterally-movable arms in their adj usted positions.

24. In a heel-loading machine, a rnail-driv- IOO IIO

ing mechanism, a heel-plate in'thezline of vmof tion of said nail-driving mechanism-.forearrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heelllank thereon and consisting of a front plate having two armswhich are adapted to be laterally adjusted to accommodate heelsof varying widths at the breast and a rear plate which is adapt-ed to be adj-usted lengthwise of the heel-plate to vary the position of the heelblanks on the said heel-plate relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism. j

25. In a heel-loading machine, la nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of the said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the. heel-blanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage withv said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism and tor move each feeding-point in turn in the line of motion of the said nail'- driving mechanism, and a heel-holdin g device on. said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and consisting of a front plate having at the breast and a rear plate whichl is adapted tobe adjusted lengthwise of the heel-platev tovary the position of the heel-blanks on the heel-plate relatively to said feeding-points and to said nail-driving mechanism.

2.6. In a heel-loadin g machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in theV line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carryingthe heel-blanks to be loaded,feedin g mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heelblank thereon and adapted to be adj usted for varying the position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to the said naildriving mechanism andl consisting of a rear plat e and a front plate which is provided wi th means adapted to be adj usted to accommodate heels of varying widths at the breast.

27. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-drivin gmechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motionof said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blan ksto be loaded., f eedin g mechanismfor operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device onsaid heel-plate for holding the heelblank thereon and consisting of a front plate provided with means adapted to be adjusted to accommodate heels of varying widths at the breast and a rear plate which isv adapted to be adjusted lengthwise of the heel-plate to vary the position. of the heel-blanks onpsaid heel-plate relativeljT to the said nail-driving mechanism.

2S. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-drivin-g mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of the said nail-drivin g mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate tov move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the `heel-blank thereon and consisting of a front jing device on said heel-plate -for holding the heel-blank thereon. and adapted to be adjusted lengthwise of the heel-plate for varying the position of the heel-blanks onthe said heelplatel relatively tothe said nail-drivin g mech-- anism and adapted to be laterally adjusted to accommodate heelsV of varying widthsat I the breast.

tivo arms which areadapted to be laterally adjusted toaccommodate heels of varying widths.

30. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate for carrying the. heel-blanks tofbe loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven i-ntofthe heel-blanks, feeding mechanism adapted tol engage with said feeding-points for operating. said heelplate to move the heel-blank thereon .relativelyT to the said nail-driving mechanismand to move each feeding-point in turn in the line of motion of the said nail-driving mechanism, and a heel-holding device on. said heel-plate for holdin gv the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adj usted lengthwise of the heel-plate for varying the position of the heel-blankson said heel-plate relatively to said feeding- IIO points and to said nail-driving mechanism M and adapted to be laterally adj-usted 'to-accommodate heels of varying widths at the,

breast.

31. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion ofthe said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feedi-ng mechanism for operating said heel-plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage with-said heel-plate,` and means coperating with saidl locking devicefor moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and adapted to be adjusted for varying the distance of travel between said locking devicey and said heel-plate.

32. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion ofthe said nail-driving mechanism fol: carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage With said heel-plate, means cooperating with said locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and adapted to be adjusted for varying the distan ce of travel between said locking device and said heel-plate, and mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and to cause the engagement of said locking device and said heel-plate.

33. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement .with said feeding mechanism, a locking device on said movable plate adapted to engage With said heel-plate, means coperating with said locking device for moving said locking device into engagement with said heel-plate upon the movement of said heelplate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and adapted to be adjusted for varying the distance of travel between saidl locking device and said heel-plate, and mechanism cooperating with said movable plate adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism and to cause the engagement of said locking device and said heel-plate.

34E. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-drivin g mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a series of feeding-points located on said heel-plate at different distances from the axis on which said heel-plate turns and representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heelblanks, lfeeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of theV heel-blanks relatively to the said feedingpoints and to said nail-driving mechanism, and means for holding each feeding-point in turn in engagement With said feeding mechanism and in vertical alinement with said nail-driving mechanism.

55. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a series of feeding-points located on said'heel-plate at dierent distances from the axis on Which said heel-p late turns and representing the positions of the nails to bel driven into the heelblanks, feeding mechanism for operatin g said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device 'on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blank thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of the heel-blanks relatively to the said feedingpoints and to said nail-driving mechanism, and yielding means for holding each feedingpoint in turn in engagement with said feeding mechanism, and in vertical alinement with said nail-driving mechanism.

3G. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted, a series of feeding-points located on said heelplate at different distances from the axis on Which said heel-plate turns and representing the positions of ,the-nails to be driven into the heel-blanks, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, a heel-holding device on said heel-plate for holding the heel-blanks thereon and adapted to be adjusted for varying the position of the heel-blanks relatively tothe said feeding-points and to said nail-driving mechanism, and yielding means connected to said movable plate for holding each feedingpoint in turn in engagement with said feeding mechanism and in vertical alinement' with said nail-driving mechanism. Y

37. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism forearrying the heel-blanks to be loaded and having a-series'of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heelblanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage With said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to said nail-driving mechanism and. to move each feeding-pointin turn in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism, means for holding the heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means for causing the firstV feeding-point of said series to engage with said feeding mech'-v anism upon the engagement of said heel-plate, and feeding mechanism.

38. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate inthe line of motion of said'nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded andhaving a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the heelblanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage withV said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to said nail-driving mechanism and to move each feeding-point in turn in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted when actuated bythe operator IOO IIO

IZO

to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means for causing the first feeding-point of said series to engage With said feeding mechanism nponthe engagement of said heel-plate and feeding mechanism.

39. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carryingV the heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into theheelblanks,feedin g mechanism adapted to engage With said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-drivingv mechanism and to move each feeding-point in turn in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism, a locking device adapted to engage with said heel-plate upon the disengagement of said heel-plate and feeding mechanism and to hold said heel-plate with the first feeding-pin of said series in line with the feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator t0 move said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism andl to canse the engagement of said locking device and said heel-plate, and means for moving the first feeding-pinof said series on said heel-plate into engagement with the said feeding mechanism ufpon the release of said heelplate from engagement with said locking device.

40. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-plate in. the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the-heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points7 feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding points for operating said heel-plate to move the heelblank thereon relativeljT to the said nail-driving mechanism, means for holding the said heel-plate in engagement With said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means for causing the rst feedingpoint of said series to engage with said feed'- ing mechanism upon the release of said actuated mechanism.

41. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-platein the line of mo-v tion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loadedand having aseries of feedin g-poin ts, feeding mechanism adapted to engage With said feeding-points for operating said heel-plate to move the heelblank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism, means for holding the said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means for causing the first feeding-point of said series to engage with said feeding mechanism upon the engagement of said heel-plate and feeding mechanism.

42. In a'heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mecha-nism,a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feeding heel-blanks on said heel-plate' relatively toV the said nail-driving mechanism.,

43. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-drivi-ng mechanism, a heel-plate in the line of motion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded, feedingV mechanism for operatin g said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively to the said nail-driving mechanism', and a heel-holding device. on said heel-plate for holding the heel blank thereon and consisting of a front plate and a rear plate which is adapted t0 be ,adjustedon said heel-plate to vary the penition of theheel-blanks on saidheel-plate rela.- tively to theV said nail-driving mechanism.v

44. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-drivingjmechan-ism, aheelplate in the lineofmotion of said nail-driving mechanism for carrying` the heel-blanks to be loaded and having a series of feeding-points representing the positions of the nails to be driven into the4 heel-blanks, feeding mechanism adapted to engage with said feeding-points for operating` said heel-plate to move the heel-blank thereon relatively tothesaid nail-driving mechanism and to move each feeding-point in turn in the line of motion of said. nail-drivin g mechanism, and a heel-holding device on said heel"- plate for holdingA the heel-blank thereon and consisting of a front plate provided with means adapted to be adjusted to accommodate heels of varying widths at the breast and a rear plate which is adapted to be adjusted l on said heel-plate tofvary the position of the heel-blanks on said heel-plate relatively to said nail-drivin g mechanism.

45; In a heel-loadin g machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks t0 be loadedamo-'v able plate on Whichsa-id heel-plate is mounted', feeding mechanism for operating said heelplate,l means for holding said heel-platel im engagement with said feeding mechanism, a

locking deviceconsisting of a cam-plateV mounted on said movable plaie and adapted toengage with a recess in said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted When actuated by the operator tol move the heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means coperating with said cam-plate for movin g said camplate into engagement withV said heel-plate upon the movement of said heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism.

46. In a heel-loading machine, a nail-driving mechanism, a heel-supporting plate for carrying the heel-blanks to be loaded', a movable plate on which said heel-plate is mounted,

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a vertically-adjustable bracket carrying the said movable plate and adapted to be adjusted to different heights for heels of varyin g thicknesses carried by said heel-plate, feeding mechanism for operating said heel-plate, means for holding said heel-plate in engagement with said feeding mechanism, a looking device consisting of a cam-plate mounted on said movable plate and adapted to engage with a recess in said heel-plate when the same is moved from engagement with said feeding mechanism, mechanism adapted when actuated by the operator to move Jrhe heel-plate from engagement with said feeding mechanism, and means consisting of a pin provided on its upper end with a friction-roller located Within a recess in said cam-plate and located on said vertically-adjustable bracket and adapted to cooperate with said cam-plate for moving said cam-plate into engagement with ERASTUS WOODWARD.

Witnesses:

AMY F. ACToN, E. L. HARLOW. 

